Bicomponent fibers, textile sheets and use thereof

Abstract

Disclosed are bicomponent fibers with aliphatic polyester forming a first component and a polyolefin forming a second component wherein the polyolefin contains an adjuvant improving the biodegradability of said polyolefin. Textile sheets comprising these bicomponent fibers are comparable in their mechanical properties to polyolefin based textile sheets while these are more efficiently decomposed by the action of microorganisms as polyolefin based textile sheets.

Description

CLAIM FOR PRIORITY[0001]This application is a national phase entry of International Application No. PCT / EP2008 / 001109, filed Feb. 14, 2008, entitled “Bicomponent Fibers, Textile Sheets and Use Thereof”. The priority of International Application No. PCT / EP2008 / 001109 is hereby claimed and its disclosure incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This application relates to bicomponent fibers of core-sheath type with improved biodegradability. Textile sheets comprising these fibers can be used in different fields of applications, such a textile applications or as industrial applications. Preferably, textile sheets are prepared as nonwovens, which can be used in personal care articles.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Biodegradable fibers and textile sheets made therefrom are known. One approach for improving biodegradability is the use of polymers which are known to show an improved biodegradation behavior as compared with, for example, polyolefins. An...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"This patent describes a way to make fibers and textile sheets that have a high proportion of renewable products and good properties like the thermobonding temperature window and shrink of polyolefin fibers. These fibers are also readily biodegradable. The method involves combining melt-spinnable polymers and polyolefins with certain adjuvants to create fibers that can be produced on existing equipment. The patent also describes a specific type of fiber made up of aliphatic polyester and polyolefin with the polyolefin containing an effective amount of an adjuvant to improve its biodegradability. The resulting textile sheet made from this fiber has good properties and can be easily biodegraded."

Problems solved by technology

While known products already can satisfy requirements of biodegradability these products often are not optimal in other aspects.

Nonwovens made of polyolefins can avoid these shortcomings but they are derived from oil and gas and not from renewable primary products.

Due to the biodegradation process, such materials will completely decompose to carbon dioxide, water and biomass.

However, some weaknesses can be seen: The bonding temperature window of the PLA fibers is narrow.

Additionally, a high shrinkage of the PLA nonwovens has to be considered.

Unfortunately, the advantages of the nonwovens made of bicofilament with biodegradable plastic in the core and polyolefin in the sheath are combined with a loss of the biodegradability or compostability.

Consequently, a degradation process is inhibited or at least impeded.